Sexual harassment laws in Thailand. Know to protect yourself! ⚖️🛡️
Sexual harassment? Know how the law protects you! 💪
⚖️ What actions is "sexual harassment"? 🤔
Definition:
Any action, speech, or attitude that:
□ Sexual intent
□ Adverse (non-consensual)
□ Makes you feel uncomfortable, insulted.
□ Impact on human dignity
Sexual harassment patterns:
🚫 Verbal:
❇ Mock about the body
□ Repeated sexual offerings after rejection
□ Gender wheel
◆ Telling lewd stories
🚫 Physical:
❇ Catching, stroking, groping without permission
□ Touch the delicate part
□ Sexual abuse symptoms
□ Forced hugs, kisses
🚫 Visual:
□ Intentionally staring at the delicate part
□ Show genitals
❇ Making an obscene gesture
□ Send indecent pictures
🚫 Online:
□ Send DM lewd messages
❇ Send a picture of the genitals
❇ Sharing private photos without permission
□ Body parody comments
📕 the laws that protect you.
1. Criminal Code, article 278
In force since: 1956 (1956)
Amendment (No. 32): 2021 (2021)
It is stipulated that:
"Whoever commits indecency against another by means of violence, by means of others in an inviolable position, or by misleading others into being, is liable to punishment..."
Blame:
□ 4-10 years' imprisonment
□ Fine 8,000-20,000 baht
"Indecent act" means:
□ Genital acts
□ Gender-violating acts
❇ Catching, stroking, groping in an indecent manner
Visual example 💬
Case 1: In public
❇ Walking suddenly, someone grabbed his ass, Lubok.
□ Wrong: Article 278 (indecent acts)
❇ How to do it: immediately shout for help, report, keep CCTV camera
Case 2: At work
□ The boss shakes his hand, strokes his shoulder, embraces his shoulders without consent.
□ Wrong: Article 278 (indecent acts)
❇ How to do it: Clearly say dissatisfied, keep evidence, report HR, report
Case 3: An acquaintance.
❇ An acquaintance / nanny / relative, a petting.
□ Wrong: Article 278 (indecent acts)
❇ How to do it: Tell parents / people close to you immediately, report
Case 4: In a public car
❇ Someone attaches himself to a deliberate touch in an electric train / bus.
□ Wrong: Article 278 (indecent acts)
❇ How to do: Shout loudly "Don't touch me!" Call for help. Notify the authorities.
2. Criminal Code, article 397
In force since: 1956
Last revision: 2021
About sexual harassment:
"Whoever threatens to endanger the life, body, reputation, liberty, or property of another...."
Blame:
□ Imprisoned for up to 1 month
❇ A fine not exceeding 10,000 baht
❇ Or both remember the fine
Visual example:
Case: Threatening to publish the clip
❇ Ex-girlfriend threatens, "If you don't want to share personal clips,"
□ Wrong: Section 397 (Threatening) + Section 16 Computer Act
❇ How to do: Keep text evidence, report immediately
3. Computer Act 2007 (Revised 2017) 💻
Effective since: 18 June 2007
Last updated: 24 May 2017
Section 14 (1):
"Imported into a computer system in which computer information that appears as images of others, as images created, edited, filled or modified by electronic or other means, is misunderstood by others as images of others, likely to damage their reputation, honor, or cause others to be hated, despised, or shamed...."
Blame:
□ Up to 5 years' imprisonment
❇ A fine not exceeding 100,000 baht
Article 16:
"Whoever transmits or transmits computer information purposefully to others, usually by the recipient or the person involved, is annoyed...."
Blame:
❇ A fine not exceeding 1,000 Baht per time
Online sexual harassment sample 📱
Case 1: Send a DM of the genitals.
❇ Strangers send pictures of genitals to DM
□ Wrong: Article 16 Computer Act
❇ How to do: Screen Caps, Blocks, Reports, Inform
Case 2: Harassment Comment
❇ Someone commented under the post that "big milk," "shapely, wanting."
□ Wrong: Section 14 (3) Computer Act
❇ How to do it: Screen Caps, Reports, Notifications
Case 3: Share Personal Clip
❇ Ex-girlfriend shares personal clips / photos without permission
□ Wrong: Section 14 (1) Computer Act + Section 278
❇ How to do: Immediately notify, request to delete the clip
Case 4: Fake pornography (Deepfake)
❇ Take the page to edit into the porn clip
□ Wrong: Section 14 (1) Computer (Heavy Penalty) Act
❇ How to do it: Immediately inform, keep evidence
4. Gender Equality Act 2015 ⚖️
Effective since: 9 September 2015 (2015)
Article 17:
"No person shall commit sexual acts against another person, whether the act is a single or multiple act...."
"Sexual extinction" means:
□ Actions or expressions of sexual mannerisms
❇ Speech with sexually implicit wording
❇ Any visual representation or thing that is sexually implicit
□ Claims or requests for incest
Blame:
❇ A fine not exceeding 5,000 baht (offence against prosecution)
Visual example:
At work:
❇ The chief said, "If you want to promote, come to the room" with a smile.
❇ Colleagues send lewd memes to watch repeatedly
❇ "Have a girlfriend? Have sex with a boyfriend?"
Use this law immediately!
🛡️ sexually harassed. What to do?
Step 1: Refuse clearly. Immediately. 🛑
Speak clearly:
□ "Stop. Don't do this to me."
□ "I'm not comfortable. Don't say this."
❇ "Don't touch me."
Do not:
❇ Smile so as not to be uncomfortable
❇ Pretend it's okay
□ Fear of being rude
Step 2: Keep the evidence. 📱
Evidence to be kept:
✅ DM text screen caps
✅ Voice recording (if verbally threatening)
✅ Video recording (if done)
✅ CCTV camera
✅ Witnesses (people who witnessed the incident)
✅ Note: Date, time, place, what happened.
Step 3: Inform 🚔
Where can you report:
◆ Police station near home
□ Crime scene police station
□ Call 191
❇ Social Assistance Centre 1300
Don't be afraid:
□ The authorities are responsible for the matter.
❇ You didn't make a mistake
□ There are laws protecting you.
Step 4: Get help. 💪
Help Center:
📞 1300 - Social Hotline (24h)
📞 1191 - Children's, Youth and Women's Hotline
📞 1111 - Women's Aid Centre, Ministry of Social Development
Aid organizations:
□ Female Friends Foundation
□ Child Rights Pikkim
□ Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women
⚠️ Things to remember
1. It's not your fault. ❌
❇ No matter how you dress
□ No matter where, at what time.
❇ The offence lies with 100% of the people who abuse it.
2. "No" is "no." 🛑
❇ Girlfriend, husband, acquaintance
❇ If you do not consent = is not consent.
❇ No one has the right to force you.
3. Don't wait. Don't be quiet. 📢
❇ The more you leave, the braver the doer.
□ Silence; consent;
□ Speak up. Ask for help.
4. You have the right to protect yourself. 💪
□ There are many laws protecting you.
❇ You can report it.
❇ You can sue for damages.
📊 Statistics to know
From the International Women's Organization (UN Women):
❇ 1 in 3 women worldwide have been sexually harassed
<--atag--30/> 90% of the perpetrators are acquaintances.
□ Only 10% reported fear, embarrassment or ignorance of the law.
In Thailand:
□ Female Friends Foundation receives an average of 3,000 + sexual harassment cases per year.
□ Most are born in the workplace and in public.
□ Age of victims 15-35 years. Most
🌟 Summary
Sexual harassment laws in Thailand:
📕 Penal Code, article 278 (1956)
□ Indecent acts
□ Penalty: 4-10 years' imprisonment
📕 Penal Code, article 397 (1956)
□ Threatening, intimidation
❇ Penalty: up to 1 month imprisonment or up to 10,000 baht fine
💻 Computer Federation (2007)
❇ Online harassment, sending pornography
❇ Penalty: Up to 5 years imprisonment or up to 100,000 baht fine
⚖️ Gender Equality Act (2015)
□ Sexual abuse in the workplace
❇ Penalty: fine not exceeding 5,000 baht
Remembered:
□ Clear denial
◆ Keep evidence
□ Notify
□ Request for help
❇ You're not alone. 💪💕
Reference source
📚 Law and resources:
□ Criminal Code - Gazette
□ Computer Offences Act 2007 (Amendment 2017)
□ Gender Equality Act 2015
<--atag--30/> Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
□ Office of Justice Affairs
□ Female Friends Foundation
□ UN Women Thailand
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